Say hello to…
…the Toyota C-HR, the Japanese brand’s supermini SUV that’s available as a 1.8-litre petrol hybrid, tested here, or a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid. The latest C-HR competes in a highly competitive market with rivals such as the Nissan Juke, Ford Puma, Vauxhall Mokka, Kia Stonic, VW T-Roc and many, many more.
There are four trim levels available.
- Icon
- Design
- GR Line
- Excel
Standard equipment on the Icon includes auto high beam assist, blind spot monitor, 7-inch digital driver’s display, drive modes, auto wipers and lights, reversing camera, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with satnav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, climate control and 17-inch alloys.
Design specification adds rear cross traffic alert, 12.3-inch driver’s display, front parking sensors, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless phone charger, dual zone climate control, heated front seats and 18-inch alloys.
GR Sport adds head up display, uprated stereo, powered driver’s seat and 20-inch alloys.
Excel adds lane change assist, uprated reversing camera, synthetic leather upholstery and 19-inch alloys.
Is The Toyota C-HR Suitable For My Fleet
With a choice of both regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid, the CH-R is a good choice for those not ready for full-EV life. The hybrid version we drove was also efficient with a real-world 56.6mpg over a week of mixed driving, not far short of the official 60.1mpg figure.
The C-HR also has a generous boot for the class at 388 litres, although if you opt for the PHEV this drops to 310 litres.
Leasing A Toyota C-HR
Intelligent Car Leasing is offering the 1.8-litre hybrid in Design trim for £279 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. Gensen Reports forecasts a maintenance cost of £30 a month and Class 1A NIC comes in at £85 a month.
Driving A Toyota C-HR
With a myriad of small SUVs to choose from competitors need to stand out to succeed. This could be standing out in the way it looks or it could be the way it drives. Or it could be the value or practicality on offer.
The Toyota C-HR certainly stands out for looks, although the striking lines may not be to everyone’s taste. With styling akin to the BZ4X all-electric larger SUV from Toyota the C-HR certainly looks futuristic.
Inside there’s the usual and obvious high level of build quality, even if some of the materials aren’t as soft-touch as in some rivals. The new Toyota infotainment system is quick, clear and straightforward to use.
The only functions that seem overly complicated are the sixteen button presses you need to complete every time you start the car and want to deactivate lane keeping and speed limit warnings to minimise the confusing and distracting amount of beeps and bongs the car throws at the driver.
On the move the C-HR’s ride comfort is good and the body well controlled. The steering is very well judged and is light and precise making positioning the car on the road simple and intuitive.
However, as with other Toyota hybrids, the C-HR uses a CVT gearbox which does the driving experience no favours. Gently going about your everyday driving and it’s fine, but try to go any quicker or try for anything beyond very modest acceleration and it produces an unwelcome noisy whine. Sport mode doesn’t help either. It does seem to add power, but it also makes the gearbox less smooth and less predictable to how it responds.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Toyota C-HR
Lease rates are competitive, but there’s a lot of competition in the sector.
Toyota C-HR
- Model: C-HR Design 1.8 FWD
- Power: 140hp
- Torque: 142Nm
- Max speed: 106mph
- 0-62mph: 10.2s
- Official fuel figure: 60.1mpg
- Test fuel figure: 56.6mpg
- CO2 emissions: 105g/km
- BIK tax band 2024/25: 26%
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